LANDI KOTAL: Local transporters blocked the Peshawar-Torkham highway here on Wednesday to protest against the alleged extortion by the khasadar personnel at various checkposts on the road.

The protesting transporters parked their vehicles on the road in Sultan Khel area, causing suspension of vehicular traffic for two hours. They chanted slogans against the political administration while demanding suspension of the officials involved in what they said forcibly taking illegal taxes from them.

On the occasion, a transporter Haji Shakir Afridi told reporters they were compelled to block the road as repeated complaints to the concerned authorities fell on deaf ears as khasadar personnel continued to extort drivers at various checkposts.

The khasadar force, he alleged resorted to manhandling of the truckers if they refused to pay them illegal taxes. “This attitude forced us to block the road to record their protest with the political administration,” he said, adding they would halt goods supplies to Afghanistan if their grievances were not addressed.

Mr Afridi said Khyber political administration had instructed Khasadar officials not to take any illegal money from transporters, but they (khasadars) continued to be involved in the illegal activity.

Published in Dawn, July 23rd, 2015

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